Municipal Elections in Yerevan (Armenia)
31 May 2009

A pre-electoral mission of the
Congress was
carried out from 3 to 6 May.
The three-member delegation – Congress
Vice-President Fabio Pellegrini (Italy,
SOC), Michel Guégan (France, NR) and Nigel Mermagen (UK, ILDG) – met with government
and city officials, candidates from most of
the political factions, as well as with NGO
representatives and the media. In addition,
the delegation met a group of Ambassadors of
European and non-European countries.

Congress
mission assesses pre-electoral situation in Armenia

06.05.2009 -
''Despite the concerns raised during our mission, we are
confident that the Armenian authorities will do their utmost
to conduct these elections in line with European standards,''
concluded Congress observer Michel Guégan (France, NR) at
the end of the visit carried out from 3 to 6 May in view
of the first municipal elections in Yerevan, on 31 May.
The three-member delegation was alerted to possible irregularities,
in particular with respect to the registration and mobilisation
of voters, the counting of votes, and media objectivity
in the campaign. It also had the impression that the institutional
and political role of the Mayor was in danger of being sidelined
by a harsh confrontation between parties in power and the
opposition. Photo: The 3 member
Congress delegation: (from left to right) Fabio Pellegrini,
Michel Guégan and Nigel Mermagen
(more ...)

Congress
pre-electoral mission to Armenia meets opposition parties

05.05.2009 - The Congress delegation continued
its pre-electoral visit in Yerevan, on 5 May, by meeting
representatives of the major opposition groups, not sitting
in Parliament: the Armenian National Congress (HAK) and
Artsvik Minasyan, candidate of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF). Both representatives reported of the use
of questionable methods in the organisation of the elections
and expressed worries about possible threats to a proper
conduct during election day. The delegation also met a group
of 11 Ambassadors of European and non-European countries.
They stressed the crucial role of these elections for the
future of the country and expressed their support to the
observation mission of the Congress.
(more ...)

04.05.2009
– On the first day of their visit, the Congress pre-electoral
mission to Armenia met with Armen Gevorgyan, Vice-Prime
Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration. He
stressed that the first elections to the City Council of
Yerevan, scheduled for 31 May, play a crucial role in the
political development of the country and can serve as an
example for other municipalities in Armenia. “These elections,
which are the result of a long and intensive cooperation
with the Congress, are an important step towards strengthening
local democracy, also because Yerevan represents one third
of the Armenian population,” he said.
(more...)Photo: The delegation meeting Armen
Gevorgyan (centre): (from left to right) Michel Guégan,
Nigel Mermagen, Antonella Cagnolati and Fabio Pellegrini